DIMI WANTS TO JOIN LEGENDS

By Phil Lanning

DIMITRI Van den Bergh wants to join the trio of legends that have retained the UK Open title. 

The bubbly Belgian begins the defence of his crown in Butlin’s Minehead tonight. 

He won the title in a controversial final a year ago over Luke Humphries and admits he loves the tournament dubbed the FA Cup of darts. 

Only three players have retained the UK Open title before; Phil Taylor, Raymond Van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen.

Van den Bergh admits: “That would be fantastic to have a Belgian name there. It would be awesome to make it happen. It’s one of my dreams, obviously, to just keep winning and keep being recognised as a major champ.

“So I’ve still got a lot of boxes to tick. But defending a title in success on the senior tour, that would be amazing.

“I know that I just go up the stage every time again, be focused on what I need to do and what I can do. 

“When it’s my time, when it’s written in the skies for me, then I can only tell myself, well done. You’ve worked hard for it and that’s why it is your time.  So hopefully I can retain the title.

“But we all know it’s going to start from round four. It ain’t going to be easy. It’s going to be a bit dodgy because obviously it’s an open draw and you never know who you get. At least I can tell myself I’ve done it before.

“I love the energy, the vibe around it because everybody’s like at the end of their seats, nail biting around the fingers: ‘Who am I going to get? And oh, that one’s out. And whoa, great game there’. Like great clashes. 

“All of that stuff is what’s happening around. It makes the world be properly alive and talk about darts, especially when the draws happen.

“Then afterwards, as soon as that draw has been done, it’s like: ‘When do I play? Which board do I play? What time?’

“Luckily, because I started in the fourth round, I’ve already got a practice session done before the afternoon session is finished and I know that I’ve already loosened up the arm.”

Image by Rex.